Dealing with conflicts (sources, escalation, containment)

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Definition of Conflict

  • Conflict is an escalation of a disagreement, and is characterized by the existence of conflict behavior, in which people inolved are actively trying to damage one another.

(Nicholson, 1992)

  • An interactive process manifested in incompatibility, disagreement or dissonance within or between social entities. (Rahim, 2010)

Perspectives on Conflicts

Unitary view - conflicts are bad Pluralist view - conflicts can be constructive if managed
Conflicts are negative and destructive Controversy is a natural and constructive phenomena
The organization is a team where the members are expected to work towards a common goal Organizations consist of different stakeholders who have different values, views, stories and goals
The common goal is defined by the management Conflicts emerge as a consequence of colliding differences (controversies) that are not dealt with
Rational behavior is expected and is defined in accordance with company policy

Types of Conflicts

Instrumental

Tangible issues like methods, procedures and semantics.

Approach: Problem solving to find the "best" solution

Interests

Allocation of resources like time, money, labor and space

Approach: Negotiation to find an agreement - enlarge the cake

Values

Political, moral and religious values

Approach: Dialogue to reach mutual understanding

Personal

Identity, self-esteem, loyalty, rejection etc.

Approach: Dialogue to reach mutual understanding

Examples of Sources of Conflicts in Projects

Types-of-conflicts.JPG

When Controversy becomes Conflict

Controversy.JPG

Balancing Conflicts and Controversies in Groups

Balancing-controversies.JPG

Source:

Huczynski & Buchanan (2011), Hatch (1997, p.305); Robbins (1998, p.464)

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